The prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards, slated to take place in Chicago on Monday, May 1, are not only an opportunity to celebrate fine cooking across the country, but also to showcase some of the best restaurants and bars in Chicago that have helped position the city as the world-class dining destination it is today. As nearly 2,500 of the world’s most esteemed chefs, restaurateurs, bakers and mixologists descend on Chicago, it’s an apt opportunity to get out into the city’s neighborhoods and taste what makes the city so great.

On Monday, May 1,
Chicago will be hosting the 2017 James Beard Awards at the iconic Lyric
Opera House. A whopping ten Chicago restaurants will be among the
nominees for what many consider the Oscars of the culinary world. While
you can always buy tickets and
attend the James Beard Awards and Gala, here are eight fantastic awards week events, all open to the public, that promise an up-close, personal and
tasty look into the culinary stars of the James Beard Awards in
Chicago.

With the James Beard Foundation Awards set to take place in Chicago May 1, preceded by Eats Week, there’s no better time to eat your way around town at a number of restaurants paying homage to James Beard himself. Chicago being a city renowned for its world-class steakhouses, both old and new, there’s perhaps no better way to celebrate Eats Week than with a visit to one of these beefy bastions.

The James Beard Awards, affectionately nicknamed the "Oscars of food," is once again set to take place in Chicago, bringing the best chefs and restaurateurs from around the world to the city for a world-class celebration of cooking. Considering Chicago's reputation as one of the best food cities on the planet, the location makes perfect sense. This year, food-lovers can take the celebration even further by partaking in James Beard Eats Week, April 21 – May 1.

The James Beard Awards, often nicknamed the "Oscars of food," is once again set to take place in Chicago in May, bringing the best chefs and restaurateurs in the world to our fair city for a world-class celebration of fine cooking. Considering Chicago's position as one of the best food cities on the planet, it seems a natural fit. This year, foodies can take the celebration a bit further by partaking in James Beard Eats Week, April 22 – May 2.

The biggest food awards ceremony in the world, the James Beard Awards, is coming up at Chicago's Civic Opera House on May 2. This year marks the second time the esteemed ceremony has been held outside of its founding city of New York, and appropriately enough, Chicago has several restaurant and bar contenders up for big awards.